Politics & Government

Shopping-Bag Exchange Program Is Launched

The Share a Bag program is launched in anticipation of the Single-Use Bag Ban going into effect in Santa Monica on Sept. 1.

A new shopping-bag exchange program has been launched before the goes into effect on Sept. 1. The Share a Bag program is being coordinated by the .

Through the program, people can leave extra reusable bags at a series of locations throughout Santa Monica and then, when they need bag, pick up one or more at the same locations.

"Share a Bag is seen as one of the ways to meet the anticipated demand for reusable shopping bags in the community," the OSE said in a statement.

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The locations, all of which are affiliated with the city's program, are as follows:

• all four Santa Monica farmers markets ( on Wednesday and Saturday, on Saturday and on Sunday)

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• the Downtown Santa Monica Ambassador's Desk in Parking Structure 4 (1321 Second St.)

• the

• the Help Desk

• Assistance League of Santa Monica Thrift Shop (1453 15th St.)

• Cherry Picked (2807 Pico Blvd.)

The OSE has another initiative, Bring Your Bag, that encourages shoppers to use their own bags when shopping at stores.

On Sept. 1, all Santa Monica stores will be banned from providing customers with lightweight, single-use plastic carryout bags. The new ordinance makes an exception for thinner plastic bags that hold produce and meat products at the grocery store, and also allows restaurants to provide plastic bags for carryout food.

The ban also requires that paper bags be composed of recycled material and imposes a minimum 10 cent feet on each paper bag, with the revenue going directly to the retailers.

The plastic-bag ban was passed by the in late January. The ban was the consummation of a nearly two-year effort. Although the council reviewed a draft ordinance of a plastic bag ban as early as February 2008, voting was repeatedly and infamously delayed.


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